Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Learning Spaces
In about a year, Dalton Hall, the building immediately adjacent to the computing center, will reopen after undergoing a dramatic transformation. It's also possible that in a year's time, Guild Hall (the computing center) will be renovated as well to seamlessly integrate into the new Dalton building. We are at a point now where we are beginning to discuss how the "smart" classrooms will be constructed.
Fortuitously, the Educause Review's latest issue is all about learning spaces. The most interesting article was about the future of learning spaces. Although I am only peripherally involved in the planning for space both in Dalton and Guild, thinking about the future use of "smart" classrooms is not something we do well. It's difficult to do, no doubt about it. Not only do we not know what the future will hold, we are also balancing the needs of faculty and students who may not want every technical gadget in the book--or at least they don't want to have it shoved in their face.
One of the key elements mentioned in all the articles is the need for flexibility and I have been discussing this since I started working here. The space I use for training is completely inflexible. Desks are nailed down; computers are wired (wires are everywhere!). There's no way to have students do group work or even for me to easily move around and monitor student work. The space is temporary, awaiting the completion of Dalton and Guild, but it's still a frustrating experience to teach in there (at least for me).
As a small liberal arts institution, we need the ability to teach both in ways that are considered traditional and in ways that may incorporate more technology into teaching. In a single class, one may have a fairly straightforward discussion, followed by in-class blogging or creating content for the class wiki, followed by beginning work on small group projects. Classes may use video, web sites, powerpoint presentations and "surface writing" whether that be on a whiteboard or a smart board. I think a classroom should allow a faculty member to teach their class any way they wish without having to think too much about the physical setup.
I'm unsure how the Dalton/Guild project will turn out, but from conversations I've already participated in, it seems that some of the principles mentioned in the Educause issue have already been considered, including the need for informal learning spaces within Guild. I think well-designed technology centers and classrooms could go a long way in making the educational experience of students much improved.
smart classrooms
Fortuitously, the Educause Review's latest issue is all about learning spaces. The most interesting article was about the future of learning spaces. Although I am only peripherally involved in the planning for space both in Dalton and Guild, thinking about the future use of "smart" classrooms is not something we do well. It's difficult to do, no doubt about it. Not only do we not know what the future will hold, we are also balancing the needs of faculty and students who may not want every technical gadget in the book--or at least they don't want to have it shoved in their face.
One of the key elements mentioned in all the articles is the need for flexibility and I have been discussing this since I started working here. The space I use for training is completely inflexible. Desks are nailed down; computers are wired (wires are everywhere!). There's no way to have students do group work or even for me to easily move around and monitor student work. The space is temporary, awaiting the completion of Dalton and Guild, but it's still a frustrating experience to teach in there (at least for me).
As a small liberal arts institution, we need the ability to teach both in ways that are considered traditional and in ways that may incorporate more technology into teaching. In a single class, one may have a fairly straightforward discussion, followed by in-class blogging or creating content for the class wiki, followed by beginning work on small group projects. Classes may use video, web sites, powerpoint presentations and "surface writing" whether that be on a whiteboard or a smart board. I think a classroom should allow a faculty member to teach their class any way they wish without having to think too much about the physical setup.
I'm unsure how the Dalton/Guild project will turn out, but from conversations I've already participated in, it seems that some of the principles mentioned in the Educause issue have already been considered, including the need for informal learning spaces within Guild. I think well-designed technology centers and classrooms could go a long way in making the educational experience of students much improved.
smart classrooms
